Toyota Leaves GWOT GI Stranded

[Clyde Mays]

I own a 1999 Toyota Sienna that came with the std 5yr/60K mile warranty. in 2003, I received a letter from Toyota in the mail stating they've been having problems with 1998-early 2000 Sienna transmissions and would extend the warranty for the powertrain to 8yrs/100K miles. At the time I'd had no problem (except for sludge which they repaired under the warranty) and just tucked this transmission letter into my car file. I recently deployed with the US Military to Germany with my family to fight the Global War on Terrorism. About three weeks ago, my van started making odd sounds and sure enough, the transmission died. I had the van towed to the local German Toyota dealer and presented my powertrain warranty extension letter. I was told that Toyota Germany would have to make a ruling on whether or not they would honor this letter from Toyota USA. While waiting, I called Toyota USA and explained my plight; i.e., I'm an American serviceman sent over to Germany by my country (not on my own accord) and explained that the defective product for which they extended the warranty had expired in my van. In good faith, I at least expected them to tell me to get it fixed here and send them the bill. Instead, I got this drivel about how many Americans are sent overseas by their companies and that we at Toyota don't take sides on any political views. So no, they would not cover their known defective product. Political views......what are you talking about???? Ray, in their customer service center, went on to explain that if I paid to have it shipped back to the states then, they would probably cover it. Hello, I'm on the front line trying to keep Ray from getting whacked by a terrorist and this is the support I get from Toyota?

Anybody out there got any ideas on how to persuade Toyota to act in good faith?

Slightly torqued in Germany,

Clyde Mays

[2000sienna]

Thanks for keeping Ray and me safer.

I have the same problem, a known faulty transmission on a 2000 Sienna purchased in January of '00, so I guess that makes it an early 2000 model. It has 134k miles, so is over the extended warranty, but, 134k mile transmission is not why I bought Toyota. I could have bought a Dodge Caravan for less money, had more room and features, and when the tranny dies, it would cost $2k instead of $3k for just the part. (Replacement engines are less than 1/2 what a Toyota costs, so better check the price of repairs next time I buy.)